Connecting Canada's Rare Disease Community
The Canadian Rare Disease Network, or CRDN, is a pan-Canadian network that connects people, organizations, researchers, clinicians, and system partners working to improve rare disease care, research, and innovation across Canada.
Who We Are
CRDN is a network of networks built by and for Canada’s rare disease community.
We bring together people with lived experience, patient organizations, clinicians, researchers, health system partners, and other rare disease leaders to support a more connected and coordinated rare disease ecosystem in Canada.
1 in 12
People in Canada are estimated to be affected by a rare disease. CRDN exists to help reduce fragmentation and support coordinated action across this diverse community.
What We Do
Connect people and organizations
We bring together partners across Canada’s rare disease ecosystem to strengthen collaboration and reduce silos.
Coordinate shared priorities
We help align efforts around shared priorities so partners can work together more effectively across diseases, regions, and systems.
Advance progress
We support progress on key priorities, including diagnosis, registries, therapies, care, support, empowerment, and collaboration.
Strengthen collaboration
We help strengthen Canada’s rare disease ecosystem through resources, knowledge-sharing, and national and global collaboration.
Our Vision
Innovative care and research in Canada so that all patients and families affected by a rare disease are empowered to live their full potential.
Our Mission
Establish a growing network that builds connections across geographies and disease boundaries to enable timely diagnosis, screening, and access to treatment, and facilitate best care, support and empowerment, and global sharing of best practices for patients and their families in Canada.
Our History
CRDN emerged from years of advocacy, collaboration, and leadership across Canada’s rare disease community. It was shaped by patient organizations, families, clinicians, researchers, and system partners who recognized the need for stronger national coordination.